My name is Sohail Raza. I'm the communications director of the Muslim Canadian Congress.
Mr. Chairman, post-9/11 analysts agree that there is a tiny minority among Muslims who hold extremist views. This tiny minority exerts pressures on the silent majority as far as religiosity is concerned and holds them hostage. Today Elections Canada is being held hostage by the same tiny minority in allowing the veil to be used as a tool of misinformation.
We in the Muslim Canadian Congress are opposed to the term “veiled Muslim women”. The veil is no part of Islam but a cultural part of certain countries for varied reasons.
While we are fighting the Taliban on the ground, why are you adopting their ideology at home?
Thank you.